Whip's Report for January 7, 2011

January 7, 2010

Democrats Committed to Growing the Economy, Reducing the Deficit in the 112th Congress

MESSAGE FROM THE Democratic whip

I hope you and your families had a joyous holiday and a happy new year. The 112th Congress began this week, and I am honored to continue serving as the second ranking Democrat in the House, the Democratic Whip. Each week we are in session, I will send you a note keeping you informed on what we are doing to solve the problems facing our nation.

In the 112th Congress, Democrats will continue to focus on issues important to American families: job creation, strengthening the middle class and restoring fiscal responsibility. I look forward to working with Republicans to find common ground on those issues.

At the same time, we are also going to hold the Republicans accountable for the promises they made to the American people. I was disappointed this week when House Republicans already broke two key promises: to have an open and transparent Congress, and to reduce the deficit. The procedures they have adopted this week to run the House were not only adopted without any Democratic input, but also allow Republicans to explode the deficit by nearly $5 trillion.

Next week, House Republicans will vote to repeal patients' rights and put insurance companies back in charge of your health care. Through health care reform, American families have been given new freedom-- freedom from worry that insurance companies can deny coverage due to preexisting conditions, cancel coverage if you get sick or limit the amount of care you receive. Although the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office released a new analysis this week stating that repealing health care reform would add $230 billion to the deficit over the next ten years, Republicans insist on voting to take away those new freedoms. And they are doing so with no debate over the consequences.

The next year will be challenging, but I am hopeful that this Congress will embrace the opportunity to look beyond politics of the moment and come together to solve problems.

Sincerely yours,

STENY H. HOYER

P.S. Please invite your friends and family to sign up for this newsletter[1] to learn about what House Democrats are doing to lead America in a new direction.